Global Competence Certificate

William Gaudelli, one of the GCC program’s founding architects, called for immediate action to broaden and strengthen global citizenship education in a panel discussion on May 20 in Seoul, South Korea. He was an invited panelist at the Second United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Forum. Dr. Gaudelli is Chair of the Department of Arts and Humanities and Associate Professor of Social Studies and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, one of the GCC program’s founding partners.

L-R: Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University; TC alumna Raina Sim; and William Gaudelli, Chair of the Department of Arts and Humanities and Associate Professor of Social Studies and Education

“We are at a moment in time where we face the paradoxical capacity to destroy much of what the modern era has achieved. But we also have the chance — one that may not come again — to pivot towards a more just, sustainable and tolerant global society. I say ‘pivot’ intentionally here, since a subtle change, of course, will not be sufficient. We need dramatic changes in education, and we need them now.”

Dr. Gaudelli plays a leading role shaping the development of the GCC program and teaches Introduction to Global Competence, a core course in the program. Read more about his remarks and specific action steps to foster global citizenship education HERE.

Global Competence Certificate educators are some of the most interesting and inspiring people you will meet. They are new teachers as well as 20+ year veterans. They bring expertise in social studies, math, science, languages, physical education, music, special education, and more across all levels of K-12 education. They are dedicated to the students they serve in public and independent schools in all regions of the U.S. and beyond. The passion that connects them is a belief that both they and their students want and need to learn about the world and their place in it in order to thrive.Seeing this rich diversity of experience combined with a common vision confirms that the GCC is home for any educator who wants to develop themselves and their students into truly global citizens. Keep reading to meet two of our inspiring teachers!

Carla Kelly is a Special Education teacher who teaches everything from Health, Environmental Science, and Introduction to Occupations in an urban high school with kids from 46 different countries. A mid-career changer, she entered teaching through the NYC Teaching Fellows program in 2009. Since then, she’s worked to make learning fun, exhilarating, and engaging for her very diverse students, and the GCC is a part of her strategy to continue to grow and flex as an educator. When asked what she likes best about the GCC program, Carla didn’t hesitate: “I love the sync sessions. Everyone is so interesting and smart, [they share] the most amazing stories, the coolest things they are doing…One would think that you would feel disconnected [in an online course], but I feel really close to these people.”

Kathreen “Kit” Harrison teaches French to middle school students in rural Maine. Many of her students have not had the chance to travel or be exposed to other cultures. A 25-year veteran teacher, she aims to bring global awareness to her students, her school, and her district. She is so committed to this that she also writes a blog and regular column about global education for the local newspaper. Ultimately, Kit would like to help schools across Maine embrace more globally focused education. When asked what brought her to the GCC program, Kit replied: “This certificate [will] help me develop greater expertise and also provide a credential that will be helpful as I continue my work on transforming curriculum in the district.”

The GCC program was featured in a May 2015 District Administration article, “Diversity Drives Demand for Global Lessons“. In the article, Professor William Gaudelli, Associate Professor of Social Studies and Education at Teachers College, and one of the lead architects of the GCC program, is quoted: “Society is becoming more diverse with immigration. Teachers need to know something about what it means for immigrants to come to a new community for political or economic needs.”

Tony Jackson from Asia Society describes what the American education system needs to leapfrog from its current status today, to one of innovation and effectiveness, especially as it prepares children for a global future. Watch the VIDEO.

In the Edutopia article, A Look Inside the Classroom of the Future, Dana Mortenson, Co-founder and Executive Director of World Savvy and Ashoka Fellow shares the following five core strategies educators are adopting to better prepare today’s students for the challenges they will face as tomorrow’s leaders:

Leverage real-world case studies

Dig into, rather than avoid, the complexity

Regularly practice empathy

Use technology to enhance learning and empower students

Ensure that reflection is part of routine

Edutopia is the leading voice illuminating and showcasing what works in education–providing not just the vision for this new world of learning but the real-world information and community connections to make it a reality.

Ken Simon, Director of Programs at World Savvy, joined EduChange to discuss “Global Competence” and the ways to build this capacity in schools and with teachers and students. He shared the Global Competence Matrix, a visual product of the collaboration among World Savvy, Teachers College, Columbia University and The Asia Society. Ken also showcased stories about two secondary schools in the article, The Matter at Hand.

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